New York, NY, March 30, 2001 … Following its report on anti-Semitism in the Egyptian media, which has been widely distributed to the Bush administration and members of Congress, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is appealing directly to President Hosni Mubarak to speak out against anti-Semitism in his country.

The League statement, which is scheduled to run on Monday, April 2 as a full-page advertisement in The Washington Post and on the Op-Ed page of The New York Times, coincides with the Egyptian leader’s visit to the United States for meetings with President Bush and other government officials.

Questioning why Egypt’s leaders remain silent while their national media give voice to ugly anti-Semitic and anti-American sentiments,

I agree 100 percent about the cartoons. It is atrocious, it is vicious, it is unacceptable, it is designed to incite people to violence, and is clearly contradictory to the spirit of peace that we want to encourage in the area.      Assistant Secretary of State      Edward Walker

ADL’s ad banner headline states: "You Have the Power, President Mubarak, to Stop the Anti-Semitic Hate in Egypt. Use it."

"For decades the Egyptian press has used vicious anti-Semitic stereotypes to portray Jews," states the League ad, which is signed by Glen A. Tobias, ADL National Chairman, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "The Anti-Defamation League has repeatedly asked the Egyptian government, and President Mubarak personally, to take responsibility to stop the anti-Semitic representation of Jews, particularly in political cartoons. Nothing has happened. President Mubarak has the stature and ability to change the Egyptian image of Jews. We call on him to stop this hateful media campaign."

This week, ADL presented Anti-Semitic Images in the Egyptian Media to members of Congress, the Bush administration and State Department officials in Washington. The report documents a pattern of anti-Semitic vitriol in the Egyptian media, especially in political cartoons, which has continued to fester despite ADL’s attempts during the last five years to bring the problem to the attention of President Mubarak and other government officials in meetings both in Cairo and Washington. The Egyptian president has listened to ADL’s concerns, but has failed to respond.

ADL leaders this week proposed placing $100 million of U.S. aid to Egypt in an escrow account until President Mubarak speaks out against anti-Semitism in the Egyptian press. After ADL provided a copy of the report to the U.S. State Department, Assistant Secretary of State Edward Walker told a House subcommittee that the administration plans to raise the issue with the President Mubarak during his visit to Washington.

"I agree 100 percent about the cartoons," Secretary Walker said, referring to ADL’s conclusions in the report. "It is atrocious, it is vicious, it is unacceptable, it is designed to incite people to violence, and is clearly contradictory to the spirit of peace that we want to encourage in the area."

Editors Note: To speak with an ADL expert on the Middle East, contact the Media Relations Department or call (212) 885-7749.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.